This We Believe in Action: Implementing Successful Middle Level Schools
Thomas O. Erb, Editor http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/86/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
NMSA's position paper This We Believe has come to be recognized as the best articulation of the middle school concept, the accepted standard. But inevitably, a position paper speaks in visionary generalizations; to move these ideals into actual practice is a very demanding task, but one that has to be undertaken if needed and fundamental changes are to be made. This resource will help in the process. It includes
A DVD of "in action" scenarios. These vignettes from eight real schools containing middle grades located throughout the United States demonstrate how some of the key characteristics have been brought to life.
Chapters on each of the 14 characteristics described in This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents, elaborating on them in ways that help one to understand how schools practicing these characteristics would operate.
An update on current efforts in middle level education reform.
A thoughtful consideration of lessons learned from 32 years of advocacy.
(Note: this might be the book we use to focus our initial study)
This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents
http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/82/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
This new, expanded edition of our association's position paper must be read thoughtfully by every middle level educator, policymaker, parent, and anyone interested in the best thinking about Successful Schools for Young Adolescents, the very apt subtitle. Presenting a vision of a developmentally responsive middle school, this resource opens with a section on the importance of middle level education from the point of view of young adolescents and our changing society. This is followed by the heart of the document, an elaboration of the 14 characteristics of successful middle schools. A Call to Action then provides specific suggestions for using this document as a tool to improve middle level schools. An important concluding feature of This We Believe is a completely rewritten section of the characteristics of young adolescents, prepared by noted scholar, Dr. Peter Scales of the Search Institute. This new This We Believe is truly a significant document that will be read and studied widely and should be used in every middle school.
Meet Me in the Middle
Rick Wormeli http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/91/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
At a time when only test scores matter, when pedagogy means "hand out more worksheets so students can practice for the tests," when teachers are reluctant to select curriculum and teach in a way they know is better for their students, Rick Wormeli lays out a clear vision of what responsive middle level teaching should be. This is a book for all reasons-help for the novice teacher, support for the mid-career teacher wanting to improve her craft, and inspiration and confirmation for the later-career teacher, as well.
Wormeli does a masterful job pulling together seemingly disparate threads-connecting middle school philosophy with standards; current brain research with multiple intelligence theory. The discussion of differentiated instruction may be the most powerful section of the book for any teacher.
Part I creates a culture of learning, leading to Part II and many specific ideas on promoting higher student achievement through innovative and accomplished practice. Part III cycles back to the middle school context-effective teams, teacher-student advisories, outdoor adventures, and working with parents. This book also offers two unique chapters: one on mentoring new teachers and one on the National Board Certification process that Wormeli completed.
Soundings: A Democratic Student-Centered Education
Mark Springer http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/204/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Soundings is a book of genuine significance and lasting importance. Coming at a critical juncture in the middle school movement, this work provides a vicarious visit to a vibrant, highly successful school program that is "middle school" in its every aspect. Here is that fully detailed and illustrated example to inform and inspire-that rhetoric in practice to hold up for examination and emulation. For the thousands of middle level teachers who recognize that the still largely subject-centered curriculum does not help young adolescents acquire the skills and dispositions needed for success in tomorrow's world and who wish they could create a more democratic community, this book is a godsend!
(Note: Mark teaches in Radnor and is a good friend – his is a classroom we should definitely plan on visiting)
Academically excellent curriculum, instruction and assessment
Developmental responsiveness in relation to young adolescents
Social equity in middle grades schools
Leadership in middle level schools
Teacher and administrator preparation and professional development
Future directions in relation to the movement.
In addition, the encyclopedia contains alphabetically organized entries that address important concepts, ideas, terms, people, organizations, and seminal publications related to middle grades education.
(Note: although not a book that the teachers will want, is a good concise, research-based reference that ought to be part of our professional library)
The Story of Alpha: A Multiage, Student-Centered Team-33 Years and Counting
Susan Kuntz http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/103/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Read the engaging story of Alpha team-the first and best model of the truly student-centered approach universally recommended by middle level advocates. Started 33 years ago in a small school in Vermont, Alpha uses a multiage and multiyear classroom, integrated curriculum, and student-driven goal setting to truly set it apart from most other classrooms. The author, Susan Kuntz, an active participant and observer in Alpha for more than three decades, uses the words of the teachers and students themselves to chronicle the development of this unique educational adventure. Chris Stevenson's foreword sets the stage for this publication illustrated with photographs that span the team's history. The ongoing success of Alpha should give heart to those who want to make the education of young adolescents all that it can and should be.
Turning Points 2000: Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century
Gayle Davis & Anthony Jackson http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/189/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Make no mistake — this is one book that every middle level leader should read! Turning Points 2000 is the book that everyone will be talking about for many seasons to come. And not only middle school educators will be doing the talking, Turning Points 2000 will draw an audience that includes policy makers, think tank analysts, education reporters, and advocates of educational reform.
Published by Teachers College Press in cooperation with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and National Middle School Association
(Note: Gayle is a good friend and I’m sure would be willing to do conference call as part of our exploration/study)
Bache Middle Grades Reading List
This We Believe in Action: Implementing Successful Middle Level Schools
Thomas O. Erb, Editorhttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/86/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
NMSA's position paper This We Believe has come to be recognized as the best articulation of the middle school concept, the accepted standard. But inevitably, a position paper speaks in visionary generalizations; to move these ideals into actual practice is a very demanding task, but one that has to be undertaken if needed and fundamental changes are to be made. This resource will help in the process. It includes
- A DVD of "in action" scenarios. These vignettes from eight real schools containing middle grades located throughout the United States demonstrate how some of the key characteristics have been brought to life.
- Chapters on each of the 14 characteristics described in This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents, elaborating on them in ways that help one to understand how schools practicing these characteristics would operate.
- An update on current efforts in middle level education reform.
- A thoughtful consideration of lessons learned from 32 years of advocacy.
(Note: this might be the book we use to focus our initial study)This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents
http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/82/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductNameThis new, expanded edition of our association's position paper must be read thoughtfully by every middle level educator, policymaker, parent, and anyone interested in the best thinking about Successful Schools for Young Adolescents, the very apt subtitle. Presenting a vision of a developmentally responsive middle school, this resource opens with a section on the importance of middle level education from the point of view of young adolescents and our changing society. This is followed by the heart of the document, an elaboration of the 14 characteristics of successful middle schools. A Call to Action then provides specific suggestions for using this document as a tool to improve middle level schools. An important concluding feature of This We Believe is a completely rewritten section of the characteristics of young adolescents, prepared by noted scholar, Dr. Peter Scales of the Search Institute. This new This We Believe is truly a significant document that will be read and studied widely and should be used in every middle school.
Meet Me in the Middle
Rick Wormelihttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/91/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
At a time when only test scores matter, when pedagogy means "hand out more worksheets so students can practice for the tests," when teachers are reluctant to select curriculum and teach in a way they know is better for their students, Rick Wormeli lays out a clear vision of what responsive middle level teaching should be. This is a book for all reasons-help for the novice teacher, support for the mid-career teacher wanting to improve her craft, and inspiration and confirmation for the later-career teacher, as well.
Wormeli does a masterful job pulling together seemingly disparate threads-connecting middle school philosophy with standards; current brain research with multiple intelligence theory. The discussion of differentiated instruction may be the most powerful section of the book for any teacher.
Part I creates a culture of learning, leading to Part II and many specific ideas on promoting higher student achievement through innovative and accomplished practice. Part III cycles back to the middle school context-effective teams, teacher-student advisories, outdoor adventures, and working with parents. This book also offers two unique chapters: one on mentoring new teachers and one on the National Board Certification process that Wormeli completed.
Soundings: A Democratic Student-Centered Education
Mark Springerhttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/204/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Soundings is a book of genuine significance and lasting importance. Coming at a critical juncture in the middle school movement, this work provides a vicarious visit to a vibrant, highly successful school program that is "middle school" in its every aspect. Here is that fully detailed and illustrated example to inform and inspire-that rhetoric in practice to hold up for examination and emulation. For the thousands of middle level teachers who recognize that the still largely subject-centered curriculum does not help young adolescents acquire the skills and dispositions needed for success in tomorrow's world and who wish they could create a more democratic community, this book is a godsend!
(Note: Mark teaches in Radnor and is a good friend – his is a classroom we should definitely plan on visiting)
Successful Middle School Collection
http://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/215/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductNameNational Middle School Association is offering in one package the resources for successful school leaders. This "best-of-the-best" collection is required reading for all middle level educators. It provides the knowledge needed for you to improve your school or district middle level program and increase achievement year after year.
The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education
Edited by Vincent Anfara, Gayle Andrews & Steven Mertenshttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/64/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education includes seven anchor essays authored by leading scholars in the field of middle grades education that cover the following topics.
In addition, the encyclopedia contains alphabetically organized entries that address important concepts, ideas, terms, people, organizations, and seminal publications related to middle grades education.
(Note: although not a book that the teachers will want, is a good concise, research-based reference that ought to be part of our professional library)
The Story of Alpha: A Multiage, Student-Centered Team-33 Years and Counting
Susan Kuntzhttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/103/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Read the engaging story of Alpha team-the first and best model of the truly student-centered approach universally recommended by middle level advocates. Started 33 years ago in a small school in Vermont, Alpha uses a multiage and multiyear classroom, integrated curriculum, and student-driven goal setting to truly set it apart from most other classrooms. The author, Susan Kuntz, an active participant and observer in Alpha for more than three decades, uses the words of the teachers and students themselves to chronicle the development of this unique educational adventure. Chris Stevenson's foreword sets the stage for this publication illustrated with photographs that span the team's history. The ongoing success of Alpha should give heart to those who want to make the education of young adolescents all that it can and should be.
Turning Points 2000: Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century
Gayle Davis & Anthony Jacksonhttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/189/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Make no mistake — this is one book that every middle level leader should read! Turning Points 2000 is the book that everyone will be talking about for many seasons to come. And not only middle school educators will be doing the talking, Turning Points 2000 will draw an audience that includes policy makers, think tank analysts, education reporters, and advocates of educational reform.
Published by Teachers College Press in cooperation with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and National Middle School Association
(Note: Gayle is a good friend and I’m sure would be willing to do conference call as part of our exploration/study)
Turning Points 2000 Study Guide
Anthony Jackson & Gayle Davishttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/95/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
Published by Teachers College Press in cooperation with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and National Middle School Association.
Enhance your faculty's understanding of Turning Points 2000 and help them make connections between the document's recommendations and what is happening in their school.
What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know
Dave F. Brown & Trudy Knowleshttp://www.nmsa.org/store/ProductDetails/tabid/1084/CategoryID/18/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/279/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName
or
http://books.heinemann.com/products/E00953.aspx
This second edition of What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know offers a clear, comprehensive description of truly responsive middle school instruction. This powerful resource for preservice and inservice educators is grounded in the voices of students as well as in current research. Also included is in-depth commentary from teachers whose classrooms exemplify and advocate an integrated, progressive, and mindful approach.
(Note: This is the Dave Brown who is likely to be working with us.)